Data Cabling Terms

A summary of commonly used Data Cabling Terms

10Base-T

The standard for running copper wiring at 10 Mbits per second. The transmission is run over 2 pairs of a Cat5e and upwards cable. This allows for the possibility of running two separate 10Mbps links over a single cable but this is not advised due to data corruption issues

10Base2 / Thinnet

A version of Ethernet that uses RG58 coaxial cable for transmission through T pieces that allow additions to the network in a series rather than back to a central hub or switch.

10BASE5 / Thicknet

A version of Ethernet that uses “Thick” coaxial cable for transmission with tap units used to connect to the cable at the desired location of the cable. The advantage was you could position into the network on existing cable wherever was suitable without new cables

100Base-T

The standard for running copper wiring at 100 Mbits per second. The transmission is run over 2 pairs of a Cat5e and upwards cable. This allows for the possibility of running two separate 10Mbps links over a single cable but this is not advised due to data corruption issues. The permanent link standard is 90m with an allowance of 5m patch leads at each end

1000Base-T

1000BASE-T is the standard for copper data cabling to run Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Mbits per second). It differs from past protocols in that it uses all four cable pairs for simultaneous transmission in both directions. The permanent link standard is 90m with an allowance of 5m patch leads at each end

Category3 data cable

Used extensively in 10Base-T and Token ring networks, the cable provides 16hz of bandwidth. Due to increasing data transmission standards Cat3 cable is now a legacy cable for older style telephone wiring only. The cable is also sometimes referred to as Station Wire

Category4 data cable

Has a data rate of 16 Mbit/s and performance of up to 20 MHz. The termination at both ends of the cable should allow a maximum of 25mm (1inch) of cable untwist to maintain cable standards and performance. Category 4 cable is no longer a recognised standard for data cabling

Category5e data cable

Performance of up to 100 MHz and 10BASE-T, Fast Ethernet, and Gigabit Ethernet. The termination at both ends of the cable should allow a maximum of 13mm (0.5inch) of cable untwist to maintain cable standards and performance

Category5e STP data cable

Cat5e performance with a metal shield around each twisted pair

Category5e FTP data cable

Cat5e performance with a metal shield around all pairs

Category6 data cable

Performance of up to 250 MHz and is suitable for Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet and 10Gig in limited circumstances subject to distance constraints. The termination at both ends of the cable should allow a maximum of 13mm (0.5inch) of cable untwist to maintain cable standards and performance

Category6 FTP data cable

Cat6 performance with a metal shield around all pairs

Category 6 STP data cable

Cat6 performance with a metal shield around each twisted pair

Category 6a data cable

Performance of up to 500 MHz and is suitable for Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet and 10Gig in all circumstances and is the standard for data centre installations. The termination at both ends of the cable should allow a maximum of 13mm (0.5inch) of cable untwist to maintain cable standards and performance

Category 6a F/FTP data cable

Fibre Optic installation Standards

Building cables with 2-4 fibre cores require a 25mm bend radius after installation or 50mm while being pulled and installed with a tension of 50 pounds (222N)

All other building cables require a bend radius of 10 times the cable outside diameter unloaded and 15 times when under maximum pulling tension for that cable

Outside water blocked cables have a minimum pulling tension of 600 pounds (2670N)

The minimum bend radius is 20 times the cable diameter under max rated pulling tension and 10 times when unloaded

OM1 fibre optic cable

Core size of 62.5/125 and a modal bandwidth of 200/500MHZ. It has a maximum distance of 275m for 1GB applications, and 33m for 10GB applications.

OM2 fibre optic cable

Core size of 50/125 and a modal bandwidth of 500/500MHZ. It has a maximum distance of 550m for 1GB applications, and 82m for 10GB applications

OM3 fibre optic cable

Core size of 50/125 laser optimised and a modal bandwidth of 1500/2000MHZ. It has a maximum distance of 550m for 1GB applications, 300m for 10GB applications and 100m for both 40Gb and 100Gb applications

OM4 fibre optic cable

Core size of 50/125 laser optimised and a modal bandwidth of 3500/4700MHZ. It has a maximum distance of 550m for 1GB applications, 400m for 10GB applications and 150m for both 40Gb and 100Gb applications

Consolidation Point

A location for termination as a connection for data cables from the cabinet and allows for future extensions into furniture. It allows you to data cable an office and wire locally as desks are installed or changed